Although it’s still in the preliminary stages, contracts are being drawn up for T-Mobile USA Inc., to construct

towers around Mayes County.

“We’re in the planning stages to expand the Tulsa network,” said George Wyrick, Real Estate and Zoning

manager.

Wyrick said T-Mobile has been in the Tulsa area since 1997. Customers who have traveled through or live in the Mayes County area are facing roaming charges because the company does not have towers in the area.

Towers are not being built at this time but when construction begins some towers are expected to be around 300 feet tall.

Allowing a large tower to be built in the city limits of Locust Grove has been on three of the last monthly agendas of the Town of Locust Grove. The Locust Grove Board of Trustees addressed the issue at the April meeting, voting there will be no residential communications towers allowed in the city limits of Locust Grove. Towers will be allowed in commercial areas but can not exceed 35 feet.

At the May regular Town of Locust Grove meeting, T-Mobile representatives were on hand to discuss putting a 190 foot tower within the city limits. The tower, with a 120 foot by 117 foot base, would be located on the east side of town near Rowland’s Store. T-Mobile would lease the land from owner Pork Rowland.

T-Mobile representative Lila O’Connor told the board the tower would be a monopole and would be safe. She said if high winds blow through the area the monopole would “bend like elastic.” If the tower should be damaged and fall it is designed to buckle into itself and fall within a 100 foot area.

At the time of the meeting the board tabled any action until consulting with City Attorney John Crockett.

Later, T-Mobile was informed by Mayor Shawn Bates that there was not an ordinance to keep the tower from being built within the city limits. Since the ordinance was still being worked on and had not yet been approved, T-Mobile would be allowed to put in its tower with the approval of the property owner.

At Monday’s special June meeting, Crockett informed the board there were some issues such as safety that he would like to see the planning and zoning board address. There are concerns about the distance of the school and ball fields from where the tower would be erected. Also concerns were voiced about the businesses that could be affected if the tower should fall. Crockett advised the board to send the issue back to planning and zoning before making a decision to allow the tower. Crockett said he will contact T-Mobile to discuss the issue and inform the company of the board’s decision.